Kelly Sarri

Un-whitewashing Ancient Greek history. The backlash to Lupita Nyong’o possibly playing Helen of Troy isn’t about “historical accuracy.” It’s about who people are comfortable seeing as the face of myth. As a Greek filmmaker, let me be clear: Ancient Greece was not a racially homogenous marble-statue fantasy. It was a Mediterranean crossroads — between Africa, Asia, and Europe — shaped by trade, migration, and cultural exchange. People were melanated. The climate alone tells you that. The version of Greece many people defend today is a modern construction — shaped by nationalism after the Ottoman Empire and by Europe’s long history of using Ancient Greece to legitimize whiteness and power. Black women can absolutely be the face that launched a thousand ships. The real myth is that Ancient Greece was ever only white. If this made you pause, question, or rethink what you were taught — share it. Ty @kahlil.greene for his video inspired me to make this one 🫶🏼 #history #AncientGreece #odyssey #movie #greece

Overhead diagrams = less explaining, more directing. 🎥 Think of them as blocking on paper — a bird’s-eye map that shows where your actors move, where the cameras go, and how the scene flows. They don’t need to be pretty. They just need to be clear enough that your crew can glance once and get it. That one page can: ⏱ Save you time on set 💸 Save you money in production 😌 Save you stress 💪 Give you confidence as a director It’s the cheapest rehearsal you’ll ever have. 👉 Save this post for your next shoot and share it with a filmmaker friend who needs it. And if you want to go deeper, I made a step-by-step guide with templates to help you create your own overhead diagrams — link in bio. #filmmaking #directingtips #indiefilm #filmblocking #overheaddiagram #floorplans #filmstudent #setlife #cinematography #filmproduction #storyboarding #directorslife

🎬✨ AUTEUR MODE: UNLOCKED 🔓 Lately, I’ve been rewatching every single Ryan Coogler film—Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther—and of course, the Sinners. ✨ They say auteur theory is about the director’s unique voice shaping every frame of a film—a theory made popular by film critic Andrew Sarris (no relation, but we do share the last name!). 😉 He’s always been my favorite director, but Sinners took it to a whole other level. It made me want to dive deep, to really understand his style and what makes his films hit so hard. So I poured all my research, my film theory background, and my creative insights into a 56-page guide that breaks down Coogler’s world—shot by shot, beat by beat. I made it for all of us who want to level up our directing game and tap into that auteur energy. 🚀 Ready to unlock your own auteur mode? Download the guide—link in bio—and let’s make films that inspire us like Sinners. Discount code: 5II23FZ #RyanCoogler #AuteurTheory #FilmGuide #FilmmakingTips #CreativeProcess #Directing101 #sinners #FilmCommunity #Storytelling #CinemaLovers #FilmStudy #FilmAnalysis #UnlockYourVoice #FilmEducation #DirectorLife #MovieDirecting #FilmMaking #auteur #directing #learndirecting

Mythology was never static. These stories survived because they evolved. Because they were retold. Because every generation reinterpreted them through their own fears, politics, aesthetics, wars, identities, and collective anxieties. That is literally how myth works. Nolan’s Odyssey is not a documentary. It is an interpretation of an epic rooted in oral storytelling, memory, performance, and cultural evolution. And honestly? The more interesting conversation is not “is this historically accurate?” but: • what does this adaptation say about us right now? • why are studios still obsessed with established IP? • does the film capture the emotional core of nostos? • and most importantly… will the movie actually be good? Also yes, I actually think Christopher Nolan casting Travis Scott is kind of fire. If you’d ask me, I’d have gone with Kendrick Lamar but that’s another convo. #TheOdyssey #ChristopherNolan #travisscott #odyssey #greece

Heads up: “Is God is” is the best movie of 2026 Just watched Is God Is I genuinely can’t stop thinking about it. One of the most original films I’ve seen in a while. It blends revenge western, surrealism, Greek tragedy, and dark comedy As someone who loves mythic storytelling and symbolic cinema, this completely hit for me. The dialogue, the performances, the fire imagery, the feminine rage,… everything felt intentional and aesthetically intriguing. Honestly, movies like this give me hope that good cinema still exists. If you love surreal cinema, Black feminist storytelling, psychological revenge narratives, or movies that feel like modern myths, please watch this. Had a blast watching it with my friend. It comes out today. Ty to @sterlingkbrown for his lovely message. @aleshea.harris is the 🐐 @karaakter @mallorixjohnson @erikaalexanderthegreat @msvfox @orionpictures @vivamaude #IsGodIs #newmovie #bestmovieoftheyear

From process to finalized video: when a musician is paired with a filmmaker 🪄 You got to be creative and work with what you have! After a short session we went through all the possible promo videos that Alicia would like and then we started filming. We didn’t even have the posts its. S/o to the grocery store employee who gave us some. 💟 This is how it feels when you work with me. It’s always fun bb! @aliciasaxophone new song drops May 15th! Artists working in union Support your indie artists! #bts #filmmaker #filming #promo #process

Playtheon — a creativity gym for expression, play, and joy. It’s still in the beginning, but I know this is going to grow into something special. I’m blending creativity, play, art, philosophy, astrology, and creative practice into one space — online and offline. A place where you can explore, express, and actually use your creativity. Not for perfection. Not for a result. Just to be in it. Because creativity isn’t just something we do — it’s how we process, feel, connect, and come back to ourselves. If this resonates, come be part of it. 🔗 link in bio to subscribe: https://playtheon.world/ share this with someone you’d bring with you and drop an emoji or comment to get this going 🤍 #creativitygym #creativity #creative #creativepractice

What if I told you that I am building a creativity gym? Playtheon is a creativity gym for expression, play, and joy. It’s still in the beginning, but I promise you… it’s going to be 🔥 . I’m blending creativity, play, art, philosophy, astrology, and creative practice into one space, online and offline. A place to explore, express, and actually use your creativity. Not for perfection. Not for a result. Just to be in it. If this resonates, come be part of it. 🔗 link in bio to subscribe: https://playtheon.world/ share this with a friend and drop an emoji or comment to get this going 🤍 #creativity #creativitygym #selfexpression #creativecommunity #playtheon Join this creative endeavor of mine!

your perspective. that’s the thing. not what makes sense. not what’s already been said. this world doesn’t need more sameness. it needs more truth. more nuance. more ways of seeing. the stories you’re drawn to? the ones that feel a little too specific, a little too “you”? that’s exactly the point. we don’t heal through one narrative. we heal through many. through contrast. through difference. through people willing to share what only they can see. so don’t dilute it. don’t reshape it to fit. let it be yours. stop ignoring YOUR magic. #creativity #artistsoninstagram #creativeprocess #quote #reminder

hi, i’m Kelly: a greek-born, la-based filmmaker & creative educator 🎬 i make films that explore women, climate, and connection, usually with a mix of humor, feeling, and a little bit of whimsy. my short film Heat Me has been traveling the festival circuit and i’m currently developing new narrative & documentary projects. alongside that, i teach filmmaking, help creatives build strong pitch decks (yes, i’m that “deck queen”), and host workshops around creativity, storytelling & process. i’m also building something bigger: a space for play, community, and creative expansion. if you’re into thoughtful storytelling, honest process, and making things that actually mean something… you’re in the right place ✨ #filmmaker #introduceyourself #creative #followalong

You can spell CREATE without ATE 🤩📽️🤸🏼‍♂️🫟🎤 Sprinkle creativity all year around 24/7 The more we create the less we consume and the closer we are to Infinity #3d #motoiongraphics #creativity

“Heat Me” travels to Cannes 🇫🇷 Heat Me was selected for the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase: an independent program happening alongside the Cannes Film Festival, focused on inclusion and underrepresented voices. Supported by Viola Davis’ JuVee Productions, the BFI, and Screen Australia, this space is about expanding what cinema looks like and who gets to be seen. And honestly? We are thrilled!!! A small ecofeminist story about heat, survival, and women is traveling from Athens to Cannes. 🎬🔥 Also for those interested the film will be available online for you to watch! #Cannes #ShortFilm #Filmmaking #film #cinema